ENGLISH SPEECH | SACHIN TENDULKAR: Be the Best (English Subtitles)

Summary

In this insightful interview, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar reflects on his early days in the sport, recounting stories of his school cricket and his path to becoming a professional. He shares the pivotal moments in his career, such as his first tour to Pakistan, his best innings in Perth, and a memorable match against England in 2008 amidst the Mumbai terror attacks. Sachin also reveals his discipline, strategies to overcome challenges, and how he stayed motivated throughout his career. This candid conversation offers a glimpse into the mind of one of cricket’s greatest icons.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sachin Tendulkar's cricket journey began unexpectedly after a mischievous childhood incident involving mangoes, leading his family to introduce him to cricket as a way to channel his energy.
• 😀 Tendulkar always had the dream of playing for India, inspired by witnessing Kapil Dev lift the 1983 World Cup trophy at Lords, even though he was only 10 at the time.
• 😀 Discipline and focus were key elements in Sachin's growth as a cricketer, with his brother, Ajeet, and coach playing pivotal roles in shaping his approach to the game.
• 😀 Tendulkar followed a rule of never discussing past performances, always focusing on the next game and pushing himself to surpass his previous achievements.
• 😀 During his school cricket career, Sachin averaged 1000 in 25 matches, and despite this remarkable achievement, he never received praise from his coach or family, which motivated him further.
• 😀 One of Sachin's best innings came in Perth in 1992, where he faced a challenging pitch with pace and bounce, which helped boost his confidence against world-class bowlers.
• 😀 The most meaningful inning of Sachin's career occurred in 2008 against England in Chennai, during a challenging time for India after the Mumbai terrorist attacks, which made the victory even more significant.
• 😀 Tendulkar had to face some of the best bowlers in the world, such as Wasim Akram, Imran Khan, and Wakar Younis, during his early tours, and initially struggled with their pace and skill.
• 😀 Overcoming fear and injury was another milestone for Sachin, exemplified by his resilience after being hit on the nose by a delivery during a match against Pakistan, yet continuing to bat and helping India draw the series.
• 😀 A memorable and clever moment in his career came when Sachin used reverse swing to his advantage, collaborating with Rahul Dravid to trick the bowler Chris Cairns into losing his rhythm during a match against New Zealand.
• 😀 Sachin emphasized the importance of being one step ahead of the opposition, using strategic thinking and adjustments on the field to outsmart bowlers and maintain control in challenging situations.

Q & A

What was the unusual reason that led Sachin Tendulkar to start playing cricket?

Sachin Tendulkar began playing cricket due to an incident where he and his friends stole mangoes from a tree, resulting in them breaking the tree. His family decided that he should channel his energy into cricket, thus beginning his cricket journey.

What was Sachin's initial attitude toward cricket and his journey to becoming a professional cricketer?

At the beginning, Sachin did not fully understand the challenges of professional cricket, as he was only 11 years old. However, his passion grew as he started to enjoy the game, and his desire to play for India was fueled by witnessing Kapil Dev lift the 1983 World Cup.

How did Sachin Tendulkar's family and coach influence his cricket career?

Sachin's brother, Ajeet, and his coach played pivotal roles in instilling discipline and focus in him. They encouraged him to continually push himself, focusing on the next game and not dwelling on past performances.

What significant achievement did Sachin Tendulkar reach during his school cricket career?

During his school cricket career, Sachin averaged 1000 runs in 25 matches, only getting out once throughout the season. Despite his achievements, his coach and family never praised him, which motivated him to keep striving for better performances.

What was the most memorable innings for Sachin Tendulkar, and why?

Sachin considers his innings in the 1992 Perth Test against Australia as the best of his career. At just 18, playing on a fast wicket, this innings gave him the confidence to face any bowling attack. However, his most meaningful innings came in 2008 in Chennai, after the Mumbai terrorist attacks, when India chased down a challenging target against England.

How did Sachin Tendulkar react to his first experience against world-class fast bowlers in Pakistan?

In his first test series in Pakistan, Sachin was initially overwhelmed by the pace and quality of bowlers like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, and Wakar Younis. He struggled but learned from his experience and, after taking advice from senior players, returned to score 59 runs in the next match, gaining confidence in his ability to handle fast bowling.

What does Sachin Tendulkar believe helped him overcome pain and fear during his career?

Sachin overcame fear and pain, particularly during the 1999 series in Pakistan, where he batted after breaking his nose. Despite the injury, he continued to bat for hours, helping India draw the series, which he later learned was considered a moral victory by the English team.

How did Sachin Tendulkar demonstrate innovation on the field during a match against New Zealand?

During a match in Mohali against New Zealand, Sachin devised a strategy to counter reverse swing bowling by positioning himself in a way that allowed him to read the bowler's delivery. This innovative tactic helped him and Rahul Dravid handle the challenging conditions and frustrate the bowler, Chris Cairns.

What is the significance of Sachin Tendulkar's approach to handling the media and public expectations?

Throughout his career, Sachin Tendulkar maintained a focus on the next game, disregarding public praise or criticism. This approach allowed him to stay grounded and always strive for improvement, focusing more on performance than the recognition that came with it.

How did Sachin Tendulkar manage to maintain his competitive edge despite numerous challenges?

Sachin’s discipline, constant self-reflection, and dedication to improving his game helped him maintain his competitive edge. Even after experiencing personal highs and lows, he always focused on his next challenge, demonstrating resilience and mental toughness throughout his career.